Angela D'Aiuto, left, executive director of the West Brighton Local Development Corp., with recipients of the first Staten Island Green Awards, from the left, Susan Fowler, JR Rich, Vivian Pisano and Maureen Fairlie.
(Photo Courtesy of The West Brighton LDC)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - CASTLETON CORNERS - Four green-thinking entrepreneurs and community leaders were honored last Friday at the First Annual Staten Island Green Awards Luncheon of the West Brighton Community Local Development Corporation, held in the meeting hall of Castleton Hill Moravian Church on Victory Boulevard.

* Susan Fowler, assistant manager of Healthy Neighborhoods Staten Island for City Harvest, who works to increase the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables to North Shore residents through community gardens and other initiatives.

* Vivian Pisano, owner of the Secret Garden Salon and Spa on Forest Avenue in West Brighton, featuring eco-friendly products and a green operating model.

* JR Rich, greening coordinator at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center (JCC), who represented the agency in the Jewish Greening Fellowship training program funded by the UJA Federation of New York. The JCC's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint have included installation of a solar thermal heating system.

The West Brighton Community LDC's Green Initiative provides technical assistance to small businesses, local institutions, and community organizations interested in reducing energy consumption and developing eco-friendly business practices.